CEU-San Beda duel kicks off 45th WNCAA

CENTRO Escolar University opens its bid for a fourth straight title when the 45th season of the Women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (WNCAA) gets going today at Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.

Officials of host La Salle College Antipolo said they prepared colorful opening rites for today’s kickoff at 11 a.m. at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Mika Reyes, the De La Salle spiker who once played for the junior team of St. Scholastica, will be the guest speaker.  This year’s theme is “Women in Action @ Forth Fifth Season.”

CEU, led by last season’s Most Valuable Player Janine Pontejos, battles San Beda College Alabang at  3 p.m.  LSCA will take on St. Paul College Pasig in the juniors division at 1:30 p.m.  De La Salle Zobel, also a three-time defending champion in the midgets level, faces Poveda in the 12 noon opener.

“CEU is still the team to beat,” said WNCAA executive director Ma. Vivian Manila.  “But many schools have also improved the past years, they hired very good coaches.  Hopefully, they will all give CEU a good fight.”

The volleyball competition begins Sunday with defending senior volleyball champion San Beda meeting Assumption at 12:30 p.m. at St. Scholastica’s gym.

Reigning four-time senior futsal champion Rizal Technological U goes up against CEU on Aug. 17 at University of Asia and the Pacific gym.

Other competing schools are Angelicum, Chiang Kai Shek, Philippine Women’s U, St. Jude and St. Stephen’s High School.